Awan says PM instructs dues’ payment to media houses

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister Imran Khan had given clear instructions for payment of dues of the media houses.

She said while talking to a delegation of representatives from APNS, CPNE and PBA. They included Mehtab Khan, Khushnood Ali Khan, Mohsin Bilal Khan, Khawar Ghumman, Sardar Khan Niazi, Akhtar Waqar Azeem and Tikka Khan. Secretary Information Akbar Durrani and PIO Tahir Hussain were also present in the meeting.

The two sides exchanged views on problems, being faced by the media in the backdrop of the coronavirus challenge and the special relief package for the media.

Dr Firdous said that the PTI government believed in the freedom of expression, being a fundamental democratic right. “The government will provide all possible facilities for promotion of independent and responsible media,” she maintained.

She also emphasised that free media and democracy were vital for each other and solution of problems, concerning the media industry were the PTI government’s top priority. She also said that there should be no delay in the payment of media dues and they were moving towards early solution to dues payment.

Dr Firdous acknowledged the fact that the journalists and media workers were playing the frontline role in the fight against the virus and that their welfare was among the government priorities. She added for resolution of issues, concerning the newspaper vendors, a separate meeting would be held. She appreciated the information secretary for handling matters professionally.